It was the end of a perfect day. As Lisa made her way down to the beach with her beloved dogs, she was grateful for the cool breeze blowing off the sea.

Families had begun to pack up their belongings and were calling the children to get ready to go home.

Many surfers were still out on their boards, while still further out she could see a school of dolphins passing by.

As she walked, she thought about how quickly the summer season had gone by. Soon the first cool days of autumn would appear. The beach would once again be deserted only to be visited by the locals.

Summer was her favourite season. It reminded her of all the happy times in her life. Growing up alongside the sea had been such a blessing, parents who had loved them deeply. Her days at University filled with laughter, loads of friends and hard work. She smiled remembering the mischief she had got up to at times. Her weddings day now that was an occasion to remember. All joyous events filled with sunshine and happiness.

She then thought about the periods of her life when trouble had crept in. Those long dark days filled with fear and sadness. The death of her beloved maternal grandparents, the child she had miscarried at four months, David being retrenched. These were the hard times of winter. When at times there was no sign of sunshine or laughter at all. She shivered as she thought of those times. Tears fell as she relived her most recent winter period. The death of her beloved David. Their marriage had been filled with love and laughter. Sure there were the hard times, but they had seen them through. Unfortunately they had been unable to win the battle against his cancer, and he had passed on six months back, leaving a huge gaping hole in her heart! Her only peace was that she knew he had gone to a better place. Both of them were deeply committed Christians, loving the Lord deeply.

“Mum wait for us.” She heard someone calling. Turning around she saw her daughter Ginny with Peter their youngest son coming towards her. Troye and Amber hearing familiar voices ran up to greet them, barking happily.

“Gaga here we are.” Peter announced while Ginny tried desperately to control the excited dogs.

Putting her arms around them Lisa hugged them closely to her.

“I knew you would be here” Ginny said.
“I phoned the house and when there was no reply I told Peter we would find you on the beach.” She glanced at her mother anxiously. The death of her father had shocked and saddened them all: yet she knew he was in a better place. How glad she was that they lived close by to offer the much needed support.

Peter ran ahead with the dogs in close pursuit.

Lisa was grateful for their company. Silently she thanked God for her three children. John and Sandy lived with their families in Cape Town, which was not too far away from where she lived. All the births and new beginnings she thought of as the spring seasons in her life. From seeds that were sown, new lives had begun. Their school years were years of development, teaching them to become responsible adults. Each had made wise career choices and were married to good people.

“I miss dad so much” she said to Ginny, as they stopped to watch the setting sun.

“I know mum. You guys had such a special life, but he is in a better place.
The pain has gone and he is free of that horrid disease.”

Gently she put her arms around her mum,hiding her tears.

“Life is full of different seasons Ginny. I’ve been thinking about them as I walked today. Some seasons are good, others are difficult. I guess I am in the autumn part of my life now. Things are happening; growth may have stopped for a period, deep down though there are seeds which have been planted long ago and I will yet again experience the happiness of summer.”

She thought of the message that the preacher had given that morning. It was from Ecclesiates about a time for everything. Her time for mourning would soon be over and she would then begin to dance again.

Ecclesiates 3. Vs 4 b. A time to mourn and a time to dance
The Woman’s Spirit Filled Living Bible.

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lovely i like the descriptions of the beach and the change of summer to autumn and then the changing seasons from mourning into a new life..... you managed to weave both themes together so clevely that i was there on the beach with her .